Disturbing Evidence Emerges in FedEx Killer's Trial

Jurors shown graphic photos, forced to hear horrifying audio in Tanner Horner case

Apr. 10, 2026 at 11:18pm

An extreme close-up photograph of a set of leather straps against a pitch-black background, lit by a harsh, direct camera flash. The straps conceptually represent the abduction tools used by the FedEx driver in this crime.Disturbing physical evidence from the Tanner Horner murder trial exposes the brutal nature of the crime against 7-year-old Athena Strand.Paradise Today

Jurors in the trial of FedEx driver Tanner Horner, who pleaded guilty to the 2022 murder of 7-year-old Athena Strand in Paradise, Texas, were subjected to disturbing evidence including an audio recording so gruesome that a local news station had to cut away from its live feed. Prosecutors also presented photos of straps found in Horner's truck, which he allegedly used to abduct the young girl.

Why it matters

The graphic nature of the evidence in this high-profile murder trial has raised concerns about the emotional toll on jurors and the public, as well as the need for sensitive handling of such traumatic cases by the media and legal system.

The details

Tanner Horner, the FedEx driver accused of kidnapping and murdering 7-year-old Athena Strand in Texas, pleaded guilty to the crime. During the fourth day of his trial, jurors were played an audio recording of Athena's final moments that was so disturbing that a local news station, NBC Dallas Fort Worth, had to cut away from its live feed of the proceedings. Jurors were also shown photos of straps found inside Horner's truck, which he allegedly used to abduct the girl in Paradise, Texas in November 2022.

  • Athena Strand was abducted and murdered in Paradise, Texas in November 2022.
  • Tanner Horner's trial began in April 2026.

The players

Tanner Horner

The FedEx driver who pleaded guilty to the kidnapping and murder of 7-year-old Athena Strand in Texas.

Athena Strand

The 7-year-old girl who was abducted and murdered by Tanner Horner in Paradise, Texas in November 2022.

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What’s next

Tanner Horner's trial is ongoing, and jurors must now determine his sentence after he pleaded guilty to Athena Strand's murder.

The takeaway

The graphic evidence presented in this trial highlights the need for the legal system and media to handle such traumatic cases with sensitivity and care, in order to minimize the emotional toll on jurors, victims' families, and the public.